Evaluation of on-farm grain storage project (615-0190) : final report

The evaluation covers the period 7/83-3/89. The project has been successful in developing, testing, and demonstrating effective technological packages for reducing postharvest losses of maize. To date, 1,764 improved grain structures have been erected in the project area, and a Grain Monitoring Unit (GMU) has been established with facilities to evaluate grain samples for damage from insects, molds, and rodents. The project has also enhanced the capacity of Kenya's agricultural educational institutions to teach grain postharvest management, and has demonstrated the capacity to transfer the technology to small farmers. Preliminary adoption rates make the technology appear viable as a major extension thrust in western Kenya, though much effort will be needed to achieve its general adoption. Delivery mechanisms found effective in the technology transfer process have included: mini-clusters of neighboring farmers, demonstration structures, field days on specific postharvest practices, and a package of reference materials, films, and other teaching aids. The technology appears feasible economically, with internal rates of return for the total management package ranging from 24% to 34% on total capital investment - a figure that the nutritional and public health benefits of improved maize quality could raise to 40%. The projected benefit-cost ratio at 15% annual discount rate to year 2001 is 1.22, with corresponding net present value of Kshs 152 million. Major implementation constraints include the lack of mobility of extension staff, delays in filling key posts, insufficient coordination between the involved divisions of the MOA at the national level, emphasis on structures rather than management techniques, and the location of the GMU in Maseno. Moreover, the planned program to provide B.Sc. and M.Sc. instruction to technical officers was not conducted due to delayed implementation and uncertain implementation terms. The program now needs to move from the demonstration stage to a transitional stage of sharing the costs of the improved structures with adoptor farmers.